The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 486 pharmaceutical outlets in Niger State for operating in violation of established regulations. The Head of Enforcement, PCN Headquarters, Dr. Suleiman Ciroma, disclosed this in Minna on Friday during a press briefing at the council’s North Central Zonal Office, following a week-long inspection exercise across the state.
According to him, the sealed premises comprised 69 pharmacies, 127 patent medicine shops, and 290 unlicensed outlets. He revealed that the enforcement team inspected a total of 672 premises, including 136 pharmacies and 536 patent medicine shops, spread across nine local government areas: Agaie, Bida, Tafa, Chanchaga, Lapai, Paikoro, Bosso, Suleja, and Gurara. One individual was also arrested for allegedly obstructing inspectors in the course of their duties and would face prosecution.
Ciroma explained that the exercise was part of PCN’s routine regulatory oversight to ensure that pharmaceutical service providers comply with professional ethics and standards. The inspection uncovered several infractions, including illegal operations of unlicensed outlets, unauthorised clinical practices, sale of controlled medicines without approval, and the unregulated training of apprentices. He stressed that such practices pose significant risks to public health and undermine the integrity of pharmaceutical services in the state.
The enforcement head urged members of the public to patronise only registered and licensed pharmacies, which he said could be easily identified by the display of current operating licences. He warned that engaging unapproved outlets exposes patients to substandard or falsified medicines, potentially endangering lives.
While commending Niger residents for their cooperation during the exercise, Ciroma reiterated that the PCN’s nationwide enforcement drive is aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring quality pharmaceutical care. He assured that similar operations would continue in other states as part of efforts to sanitise the drug distribution system in Nigeria.
